VehicleVerdict

1996 Mercury Villager visibility & wipers problems

The 1996 Mercury Villager has 24 visibility & wipers complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

24

Visibility & Wipers complaints

9%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Visibility & Wipers complaints by year

Villager visibility & wipers complaints by model year69 complaints1993: 69 complaints1994: 17 complaints1995: 24 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 2 complaints
Villager visibility & wipers complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

98V012001Visibility & WipersMarch 23, 1998 · 57,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."

Consequence

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.

What owners report

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATED DURING A RAIN STORM, SWIPED ONE WAY ACROSS THE WINDOW AND STOPPED. WHEN FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MOVE, AND IT DROPPED 6 INCHES BELOW ITS ACTUAL RESTING SPOT. ALSO, DIFFICULTY GETTING SHIFTER OUT OF PARK, WHETHER VEHICLE IS PARKED ON FLAT SURFACE OR SLIGHT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 1, 1998

Common questions

How many visibility & wipers complaints does the 1996 Mercury Villager have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Villager visibility & wipers — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Mercury Villager visibility & wipers?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the visibility & wipers: 98V012001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.